Apparatus and method of moistening and heating washcloths

ABSTRACT

An outer container forming a sealed casing. The casing holds a quantity of water, and a washcloth. An electrical heater element heats the water to a boil, and the steam is applied to the washcloth. After a period of time the washcloth is heated and moistened, and can be withdrawn from the casing, and used. Automatic shut-off controls are provided. The device is small and easily portable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention resides in the general field of moistening and heating washcloths. The desire for having heated washcloths in various situations is well known. It may be desired or necessary to have such heated cloths on a nightstand, or on a kitchen counter, or in a baby change station. Providing such washcloths under those various circumstances is difficult, because of complications involved. For example, heretofore, it would be necessary to moisten a washcloth at a particular location where a source of water is located, and then carry the cloth to another location where it is to be used. Such series of steps are by their very nature very complicated, and of course very time consuming.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0002] A broad object of the invention is to provide apparatus and method for overcoming obstacles and difficulties as set out and indicated above.

[0003] A more specific object is to provide a self contained device for overcoming the above objections, having the following features and advantages;

[0004] 1) A measured quantity of water is placed in a container, and heated electrically for developing steam, the steam being directed onto the washcloths, and the device is shutoff in response to evaporation of all the water.

[0005] 2) In another form the steam that is developed may be utilized for forcing the water itself onto the washcloths;

[0006] 3) In another form, a pump is used for forcing the water onto the washcloths or the pump may be utilized for pumping air from the exterior into the container holding the water, for forcing the water onto the washcloths.

[0007] 4) The device includes a thermostat for automatically shutting it off when the interior has reached a predetermined temperature.

[0008] 5) In another form of the device, a heater is utilized for heating the water and developing steam, in which the heating means includes electrodes imbedded in the water, the water thereby completing the circuit through the heater; upon the water being completely evaporated, circuit is broken between the electrodes, thereby acting as a switch to turn off the device.

[0009] 6) In still another form of the invention, the device includes a tray for holding the washcloths, an inverted water bottle is utilized as a source of water and the measured amount of water to proceed from the water source to the tray is governed by the level of water in a trap receiving the water from the water bottle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INDIVIDUAL FIGURES OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 is a semi-diagrammatic illustration of one form of the device, this being a vertical sectional view, through the interior.

[0011]FIG. 2 is a face view of a heat indicator.

[0012]FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing a modified form.

[0013]FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIGS. 1 and 2 of another modified form of device.

[0014]FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view through the interior of still another modified form.

[0015]FIG. 6 is a view of a device utilizing a water bottle as a source of water and steam.

[0016]FIG. 7 shows a form similar to FIG. 6, but modified relative thereto.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] One form of the device is shown in FIG. 1 which is a diagrammatic view, taken on a vertical plane through the device. The device is indicated in its entirety at 12 and includes an outer container 14 which is made up of a surrounding wall 16. For convenience, the surrounding wall may be referred to as having a top element 17, a first end element 19, a bottom element 20 and a second end element 22.

[0018] The outer container includes a first compartment 23 and a second compartment 24.

[0019] A washcloth constituting the object to be moistened and heated is shown at 26, this reference numeral being used for identifying the washcloth in each of the figures.

[0020] In the first compartment 23 is a drawer 27 which is slideable in the compartment between an inner closed position shown in full lines in FIG. 1 and an outer position shown in dot-dash lines. The drawer 27 is insertable through an opening 29 in the outer container wall, and has a front wall element 30 which is positioned in the opening 27 and closes that opening when the drawer is in its inner position, and in that position forming a part of the front end surface of the container. The front wall 30 seals the front opening against the escape of steam, and if desired, a sealing element 32 may be inserted.

[0021] In the rear compartment is an inner container 32 for containing a quantity of water, the level of which is indicated at 33. An opening in the outer container is formed at 34 for receiving the inner container 32, the opening being normally closed by a hinged cover 35 hingedly supported for selectively closing and opening the hole 34.

[0022] A fluid tube 36 is provided, for conducting water or steam, depending on the circumstances, referred to below. The tube has an inner end element 37 extending down into the inner container 32 and an outer end portion 39 extending out over the open top of the tray 27, and thus over the washcloth 26 in the tray. The outer end portion has a series of holes indicated by the lines 40 for conducting water or steam downwardly onto the washcloth.

[0023] An electrical heater element 40 is positioned directly under and closely adjacent to the inner container 32. An electrical cord 43 leads from the heater element to a source of electricity at 44. A manual on-off switch 46 may be provided in the conductor 43, and a thermostat 47 may be provided for shutting off the device upon the occurrence of a predetermined upper limit temperature.

[0024] In the use of the device as shown in FIG. 1, and described, a measured amount of water is placed in the inner container 42, such as a cup full, and the device turned on. The electric heater 40 soon heats the water and develops steam in the container which forces the water up through the tube 34, and downwardly onto the washcloth. The measured amount of water is predetermined to moisten the cloth the desired amount, and when the water is spent, i.e. evaporated into steam, the washcloth will have been moistened to the desired extent, and heated to the desired temperature. At this step in the procedure, the thermostat 47 operates to shut off the device, and for safety sake it may be shut off manually by the switch 46.

[0025] The device is located as desired for its intended use, and for such use, the drawer 27 is withdrawn to a desired extent as shown in FIG. 1, and the cloth lifted out ready for use. Then a new cloth may be placed in the drawer, and the drawer closed, and a quantity of water replaced in the inner container 42. This completes the cycle, and the device is ready for use in a further cycle, as circumstances develop.

[0026] It will be understood that the heater 42 operates to heat the entire interior of the outer container 14, including assisting in heating the water in the container 32, and in heating the washcloth itself.

[0027]FIG. 2 shows a heat indicator 48, in the form of a flat strip, which may be used, e.g., applying it to the outer casing, as shown in FIG. 1, at the left hand end. This heat indicator is of known kind, and visually indicates various temperatures.

[0028]FIG. 3 shows a modified form of device, very similar to that of FIG. 1 but including a pump means. The pump means is indicated at 50 and may be of a form now well known. It includes a tubular stem 52 extending down into the inner container 32, and a spout 53 which directs the water down into a cup 55 which in turn leads through a tube 56 into the main tube 36.

[0029] The form of device of FIG. 4 is modified relative to those of FIGS. 1 and 2. Instead of the pump 50 of FIG. 3 which pumps water into the compartment 23, it includes an air pump 58. This pump may be of known kind, and upon actuation thereof pumps air from the exterior into the inner container 32 and forces the water out through the tube 36, in assistance to such action by the heating of the water. This water so pumped through the tube 36, is directed through the holes 40 and onto the washcloth.

[0030]FIG. 5 shows still another form of device. In this case the entire device is indicated at 60 and includes an outer container 61 having a lower main part 63 with an open top 64.

[0031] A cover 66 is fitted on the lower main part and may rest freely thereon or it may be detachably secured as at 67.

[0032] Within the main container, is a closed compartment 69 within which is an electric heater element 70. The heater element consists in a pair of electrodes spaced apart, each having an end connected in the circuit represented by the conductor line 71. The electrodes are mechanically separated from each other, but in the electric circuit, the circuit is closed by the water in the container, in which both of the electrodes are immersed.

[0033] Leading upwardly from the compartment 69 is a series of tubes 73 communicating with the upper compartment 74, also referred to as second compartment, in which the washcloth 26 is placed.

[0034] The cover 66 includes a bottom closure element 75 which is semi-sawtooth in shape, having holes 77 at the lower points, enabling water to flow therethrough onto the washcloth 26. TO initiate operation of the device, the cover 66 is opened, and a measured quantity of water is poured into the outer container. It flows down through the tubes 73 and into the lower container 69 and substantially fills the lower container. This water, as indicated above, completes circuit through the electrodes and thus energizes the heater element. The steam developed then flows into the upper container and into contact with the washcloth, moistening and heating it.

[0035] This step continues until all of the water is evaporated, contact between the electrodes being maintained until the water is substantially depleted. After the water is so evaporated, the device shuts off automatically and there need be no extra manual switch to control this step.

[0036] The device of this figure (FIG. 5) may also be provided with a temperature indicator 78, if desired.

[0037] Referring to the device of FIG. 6 which constitutes still another modification, the device itself is indicated at 80 and includes a main outer container 81 in which is a first compartment 83 which includes a lower rack or pan 85, in which the washcloth 26 is placed, the compartment including a cover 86 for gaining access to the compartment.

[0038] A supply of water is provided by an inverted water bottle 88 the lower open end of which is received in a well 89 having communication through a tube 91 with the first compartment.

[0039] The water bottle empties into a cell 92 at the bottom of which is an adjustment ring 93 of predetermined thickness, to hold the bottle at the desired height for supplying water to the well 89, and thus to the first compartment. A plurality of adjustment rings 93 of different thicknesses are provided, of which a selected one of the desired thickness is utilized for positioning the bottle at a corresponding height, for providing different levels of water in the well 89. A heating element 95 is provided, and positioned directly under the first compartment 83. A manual on-off switch 96 enables manual control of the height of the water in the well, and thus the first compartment.

[0040] Attention is next directed the device of FIG. 7, indicated in its entirety at 100, physically constructed very similarly to that of FIG. 5. In the present case, the water bottle 102 is placed in a cell 103, held in centered position by a series of ribs 104. The first compartment 106 which is similar to the first compartment of FIG. 6, is provided with a horizontal extension 107 to reach under the lower end of the bottle.

[0041] The bottle in the present case is of different shape from the bottle 88, having an opening 108 surrounded by a short axial flange 110.

[0042] The device includes a closure unit 111 which includes a tubular lower element 112 formed integral with a wide plate like element 114. The hole in the sleeve extends through the plate element 114, and on the side of the latter, opposite the sleeve is a surrounding bead 115, forming a cup.

[0043] Slidable in the tubular sleeve is a valve pin 117, on the inner end of which is a closure ball 118 fixedly secured to the pin.

[0044] As a beginning step, a bottle having water therein is inverted and placed in the cell and lowered for the top end to engage the closure unit. The closure stem 117 will have been in place, and upon its engaging the lower end of the extension 107, water flows from the bottle into the extension and then into the lower compartment.

[0045] In this case also, a series of adjustment rings 118 are provided, of different thicknesses, to enable selection of a ring of predetermined thickness for determining the height of the water bottle in the device.

[0046] End of Descriptive Specification 

1. A device for moistening and heating washcloth comprising, an outer container capable of being closed to form a sealed interior, the outer container including a first compartment for containing wash cloths, the outer container having an opening for enabling wash cloths to be manually put into and withdrawn from the first compartment, the outer container also including a second compartment for containing water, the container including passages interconnecting the compartments, means for heating the water to produce steam therefrom, and the device including means for directing the steam onto the washcloths.
 2. A device according to claim 1 wherein, the device is self-contained except for circuit means for forming connection between an external electrical source and the heating means, and the device is small and compact and adjusted to be carried by the hands of the user.
 3. A device according to claim 1 wherein, the device includes a first inner container in the first compartment, adapted to receive and hold washcloths, the first inner container being movable between an inner position in the first compartment and an outer position in the exterior exposing the washcloths to the exterior, the device also includes a second inner container removably positioned in the outer container, for holding water to be released into the outer container.
 4. A device according to claim 3 wherein, the outer container has an opening for receiving the first inner container, and the first inner container is operable for closing that opening, means for releasably locking the first inner container in the outer container, and means responsive to the temperature in the outer container reaching a predetermined height for unlocking the locking means.
 5. A device according to claim 3 wherein, the heating means is positioned under the second inner container, and a tube is included in the device, having an inner end positioned in the interior of the second inner container near the bottom of the latter for receiving water from the latter, and the tube has an outer end portion positioned over the first inner container and having holes for directing water onto washcloths in the first inner container.
 6. A device according to claim 5 wherein, the device includes a manually activated pump for pumping water from the second inner container into the outer end portion of the tube, in bypassing relation to the inner end of the tube.
 7. A device according to claim 5 wherein, the device includes a pump for pumping air into the second inner container for forcing water form the latter through the tube.
 8. A device according to claim 1 wherein, the heating means includes a pair of electrical heating elements positioned in the second inner container, for immersion in water in the latter, the heating elements each is connected at one end only to an electrical circuit, and the heating elements are positioned relative to each other to develop an electrical current between themselves through a body of water in which they are immersed.
 9. A device according to claim 1 wherein, the outer container is closed, the first inner container is positioned below the second inner container, the device includes tubes interconnecting the inner containers for passage of steam therebetween, the outer container includes a top compartment above the second inner container and has openings enabling steam to flow from the second inner container into the top compartment, and condensed water to flow from the top compartment into the second inner container.
 10. A device according to claim 9 wherein, the outer container includes an openable cover containing the top compartment.
 11. A device according to claim 3 wherein, the outer casing is enclosed and the space is effectively continuous, whereby heat in any location in the space is capable of flowing to any other location therein, and the device includes a temperature indicator for indicating the temperature of the air in the space.
 12. A device according to claim 11 wherein, the temperature indicator is located so as to sense the temperature in the first inner container closely adjacent the washcloths.
 13. A device according to claim 1 wherein, the second inner container includes a water bottle, the device includes a well unit having a well for receiving the top open end of the water bottle and holding water flowing from the bottle, the device includes a passage interconnecting the first inner container and the well, the well is so positioned for controlling the flow of water from the bottle into the well to a predetermined level, and the parts of the device are so dimensioned and arranged as to enable water to flow through the passage from the well into the first inner container to a level in the latter common to the level in the well.
 14. A device according to claim 13 and including, a series of inserts of which one or more may be selected for predetermining the height of the water bottle in the well unit for controlling said common water level.
 15. A device according to claim 1 wherein, the second inner container is arranged for maintaining water at a predetermined level interdependently of the first inner container, and the heating means is directly under the second inner container, whereby to transmit moisture in the form of steam to the first inner container.
 16. A device according to claim 1 wherein, the second inner container is higher than the first inner container, and the heating means is directly under the first inner container.
 17. A device according to claim 13 and including, a water bottle having a main body and an outlet unit, the outlet unit including a tubular sleeve with a wide transverse head and a shank, the outlet unit also including a stem with a ball secured thereto forming a closer, the stem being fitted in the sleeve and extending out of the lower end of the sleeve with the ball positioned in the water bottle for closing the upper end of the tubular sleeve, the first inner container having an extension reaching to a point under the water bottle, the parts being constructed and arranged for the sleeve and stem therein to extend into said extension with the stem engorging the bottom of said extension to thereby open the tubular sleeve and control the flow of water out of the water bottle.
 18. A device for heating water for developing steam for treatment of an article comprising, an outer container having a space for holding an article to be treated, electrical circuiting including a pair of electrodes each having one end connected in the circuitry and the other end unconnected and free, the water container having an inner container for holding water and adapted for depositing the electrodes therein in spaced apart relation, and the outer container including construction forming passages leading from the inner container to location of the article to be treated. 